FASHIONS FOE -JCTiniRE» i {From Le Fotttt.): Some of the most modistes, who, at the com mencement of the season, spoke of a revolution ia the form of dresses, have now dctejrolflejjjl'tefontmue the stylo bo much in favour with all lidlet nbfl «t the same time so convenient. BA8qae%^fiienj.srf)i still be worn in walking and nogligc drets5 'whila in full dresfi tbe bodies will 'je,»vitiioutbasq\tts'*o4 basquees. The skirts very full indeed men -not trimmed, and arranged iu double (ir triple phuu, according to the fulness. ' ^i 4isj\-? Atthis intermediate season, too cool fbrQ^en^f, little mantelets, which reigned during tho'su^ief, and not cold enough for winter- manteanx^ira see many very pretty basquines of black taffetai,«od sometimes of thin doth. They are wpm.loinr, asd fitting to the figure. tVhen made, of Jongctpth they are frequently only bound; when of tanbtai thev may be trimmed eitltcr with velvet lace, rudiesof ribbon, or any of the fancy passementeties, or galom of silk, ...

A ' HERETIC' MARRIAGE AND ITS RESULTS. ( From Mexico and Us Religion. By Robert A. Wilton.) There is a curious story about the first marriage that took place between a heretic and a Jalapina. The hero held the important position of agent dfthe English Seal del Monte Company at Jalaoa. In one rf the families that had been greatly reduced in their worldly circumstances by the ruin of the Contrulado of Vera Cruz was a dark beauty with whom he became deeply enamoured. But 'how to make her his wife was the difficulty. The lady was willing, was more than willing; 'for when the fires of Spanish love are kindled, they burn unextinguisba bly,' says the proverb ; or, in tbe poetical language of the Indians, ' it burns as did the fires of Mount Orizaba in its youth — fires that only went out when its head was coated with silvery gray.' The mother was willing ; and no one but the church hod aught to say why they should not be united. How could tbe holy sacrament of matrimony be profaned by admi...

MISCELLANEA. Os Hot Wik»b. — It is the generally received opinion that this phenomenon arises, from aa arid, scorching desert in the centre of; Australia. £-i«h, however, I conceive is not the real fast, so Cor at least as the east coast is concerned, I admit the existence of the desert, *ud the power of (far inn's refracted rays, but I consider the effect to I .'*??». and for the following reasons. In the first j- -. is contrary to all atmospheric laws for heated - ; ' descend. I will imagine a hot wind to be got '*d in long. 140 deg. east, where I will assume t- ,'a« level at the country is not more than 300 feet bove tile sea. Before this wind can, however, .r- —m Sydney or Maltiand, it must first ascend 300' - «c '.c over tbe dividing range, and then (oil again .over than its original level. It would bo Just ba probablo for fcko dmou of n r1iiinnfir'tin ^nBroni^ itifn tL mine, or the steam and heat of ft funnel to find their * .,* into a ship's cabin. Is the nest place, the titr...

THE BTOSTH AUSTRALIAN. rrswreir, tuesday, deQeme'EH so, iSoi-. Ere another number of this journal is issued w6 shall have ontored upon the new year, — a new year excelling, we both hope arid trust, all its nredeceesQcs In health-giving, exliilii-atibg influences ; and may the kindly joyous asso ciations that shed a halo of gladness around its birth, never: lose their betiigti efficacy i» banishing sorrow aud cold-hearteduess froni our homes. -This week, as- well as the past., merry souuds springs up around- 'telling all that affection can say' (and how inadequate are mere words, in many instances, for tlie purpose), aud, as a hundred ohernb voices resound with tlie magic words ' A Happit New Year,' the heart expands with charity and Jove to all mankind, and we take to our homes every gladdening remembrance, and cherish it as we would the choicest of pur treasures. Oh! it is a blissful feeling wheuj revelling in the enjoyment of wistfully anticipated re unions, — the coming together ...

SYDNEY. - Mr. Dasiel Cooper's Nkw Makiiox.— The cere mony intended to siimalixe the laying of th» founda tion stone of. Mr. Cooper's new residence at Point Piper was «6n» thronch on Saturday list, in a manner satisfactory to all parties concerned, his Excellency the ;(5overnor-General taking the most prominent put, that pf laying the foundation stone of the building in question. It were needless to say that a 'faire eompanie' was present on the occasion, invited to'render the affair as imposing as might be. There were present. Sir William Denison, with his family and. suite; the .Bishop of Sydney, Sir Alfred Stephen, Mr. Jastice Thefry, Mr. Justice Dickinson, and Mr. Juitice Hilford, with their respective families ;« large number of the members of the Legislative Council and of the Legislative Assomblv ; Colonel Bloomfield, and the officers of the garrison ; the naval officers on the. station ; captains of vessels jn harbour t and any quantity of white-trousered and blue-Jfccketedyo...

A BILL TO IIBGULATE THE LAW BETWEEN MASTERS AND SERVANTS. (At framed and agrr-ed to in Select Commitltt.) Whereas the AcU .of the Governor and Legislative Council of New South Wales, relat;ng to masters and nervants, expire on the thirty-first day of December next, and it is deemed ofcpedient to make further provision for regulating and amending' the lawe relating thereto : Be it enacted, by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Legislative, Assembly -of New South Wales, in this present Par liament assembled, and by the authority of the same asfollowe:— : 1. TJie. following words and expressions in this Act shall have, the meaning hereby assigned to them, unless' there be something in the subject or context repugnant to suvh construction. The word ' Master' shall extend to and include all agents, superintendents, overseers, or other per sons acting fw or on behalf of' any employer. The word *' Servant' shall include all...